POLICE who launched a murder investigation after a Midland pensioner was found with a barbecue skewer embedded in his body now believe he impaled himself in a tragic accident.

Leslie Ince, aged 80, was found three years ago lying in an understairs cupboard at his Black Country home with a 22-inch skewer in his body.

But detectives who launched a murder probe today revealed they now believed Mr Ince may have become stuck on the metal spike after suffering a stroke.

It is believed he may have lain undiscovered in his house in St Ives Road, Park Hall, Walsall, for up to three days before his son raised the alarm on February 21, 2006.

By that time, Mr Ince was too ill to explain to police what had happened and died of his injuries six weeks later. Initial tests suggested he had been attacked but further examinations by pathologists specialising in unusual injuries, criminal profilers and forensic psychologists led to the conclusion his death was more likely to have been an accident.

The supposed attack on Mr Ince baffled detectives from the start as there appeared to be no motive for anyone to hurt him and nothing was stolen from his home.

Det Matt Supt Ward, who led the investigation, said: “We will be presenting a report to the coroner next month outlining our belief that Leslie Ince suffered a stroke, became extremely disorientated and, in a tragic accident, impaled himself on a barbecue skewer stored at a low level under the stairs.

“Our investigations have been extensive and thorough and we have sought advice from some of the leading experts in the country.

“There have been no signs of forced entry, of stolen belongings, of witnesses or indeed of other people being in Mr Ince’s house at the time of his death. Throughout this investigation we have been in the closest contact with Mr Ince’s family. They have been told of our findings as we come to the end of this investigation and have been incredibly supportive.”